From a free bike scheme to a flood media centre, the schools which entered our Guardian Teacher Network and Zurich Municipal The School We'd Like competition were eager to show they care about the communities they live and learn in.

While every neighbourhood has different needs and demands, the entries provided plenty of food for thought on how schools can work with students, parents and society to provide a positive contribution to society.

These are issues which teachers at Castleview Primary school are acutely aware of and they plan to tackle the problem by involving parents and students in cookery and gardening classes, teaching them the skills needed to lead a healthier lifestyle.

The benefits

Situated in one of Scotland's most deprived areas, the classes would help address Craigmillar's health inequalities, while at the same time giving parents a sense of belonging in the community and helping them take more responsibility for both their own and child's wellbeing. But it's not just the teachers who believe in this project. The idea was developed from parent and student questionnaire responses, illustrating the real need for the initiative in the town.

"The local high school Castlebrae is under threat of closure and a lot of people in the community are feeling forgotten," explained one of the teachers. "The school is in an area of deprivation and health, both physical and mental, is very low. If we can get parents into the school for classes, it will help them gain strength, as well as giving them vital work skills."

Sustainability

Parents would take the lead in making the project sustainable, growing food in the gardening class and leading groups themselves with the support from the Teachers and Edinburgh Community Food organisation. In their response to the questionnaire, the parents expressed a desire to take part in the classes with or without their children, coming in during school hours to learn gardening skills and joining their children in the kitchen at the end of the day.

Parents would also help raise funds for the project by selling goods at school fairs and hosting community dinners. Their commitment would be rewarded with a food hygiene certificate, a crèche for parents' toddlers during classes and a free dinner in the evening.

The Link, Combe Down: bike hire scheme to foster better understanding of students in the community

The idea

Teachers at this special school near Bath felt students were struggling to be understood by people outside the school gates. In an attempt to change people's perceptions and to avoid student isolation, the school plans to roll out a free bike scheme in and around the local community for everyone to enjoy. To foster better understanding of the students, other schools and youth clubs would be encouraged to take part in the project. Initially eight to 10 bikes of different sizes would be bought, as well as helmets and a safe storage facility.

The benefits

As well as breaking down barriers between the school and local community, the bikes would be a great way to keep students fit and healthy. It would also boost morale and, through friendly PE competitions, develop better relations with other schools in the area.

Sustainability

The school would ensure a strong business plan is drawn up, ensuring the bikes are properly insured and collecting deposits from cyclists to cover possible damage costs. Volunteers would help run the scheme and a rota would be drawn up if necessary.

The King Edward VI School, Morpeth: flood risk media centre to inform people in times of crisis

The idea

This secondary school is based in a town which endured the worst flood in its history in 2008 and was flooded again recently. The school acts as a rescue centre and would like to develop its media facilities in order to keep in close contact with local flood action groups and residents, especially in times of crisis. This includes the development of their school radio station, TV channel and newspaper to develop links with the community and give students practical media experience.

The benefits

The school's media hub would provide vital information for people living in the area, particularly during times of crisis. Residents and flood action groups could work with the school to educate the community on ways to protect their homes from the effects of flooding, as well as helping people during and after a flood by informing them about clean-up operations.

Students are already learning how to be radio broadcasters, TV reporters, presenters, film crew and budding journalists. But with new equipment, software packages and licences, the school hopes to develop students' media skills even more.

Sustainability

The students involved in the school's media operations are of a wide range of ages and older students would be in charge of training and supporting their younger peers, sharing and developing skills together. Radio broadcasts, TV episodes and news publications would also feature regularly and not be just one-offs.